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GameStop Defends Breaking Modern Warfare 2's Street Date

GameStop has acknowledged to Kotaku that its corporate office authorized the early sale of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 at select locations. Corporate communications Vice President Chis Olivera released a statement:

This past weekend, GameStop made the decision to break street date and sell reserved copies of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 in select markets where other retailers had broken street date. Our decision followed many conversations with Activision and was an effort to protect our customer base.

But Activision reportedly contacted Kotaku and contradicted Olivera's claims, stating that, "Activision has not given any retailer permission to sell Modern Warfare 2 prior to the Nov. 10 street date."

Tyler says: So what are the lucky locations that got MW2 early? Judging by the comments at Kotaku: Bowie, MD, Bowling Green, Ohio, Reading, PA, New York City, NY and Rochester, NY. While GameStop's official line is that it's protecting its pre-orders, many commenters on Kotaku admit that they purchased the game early without having pre-ordered the game.

While I can understand GameStop wanting to join those who broke the street dates early in order to keep their pre-orders, I have to point out that smaller independent game retailers don't have the clout to pull such a maneuver. When mom-and-pop gaming stores break street dates they could be subject to fines. But with GameStop I doubt any fine will be given. If it turns out that Activision did give GameStop a green light, I'd have to wonder if this is the first time it has bent ground rules for the retail giant?

Any GameSpy readers get their hands on an early copy at GameStop, or even elsewhere?